Main Entry: cham·o·mile

Variant(s): or cam·o·mile \ˈkam-ə-ˌmīl, -ˌmēl\

Function: noun

1 a : a composite herb (Chamaemelum nobile synonym Anthemis nobilis) of Europe and North Africa having strong-scented foliage and flower heads that contain a bitter principle used as an antispasmodic or a diaphoretic

[chamomile illustration]

b : any of several related composite plants (genera Anthemis and Matricaria) ; especially : a Eurasian herb of the genus Matricaria (M. recutita synonym M. chamomilla) naturalized in North America and having foliage and flower heads that contain the bitter principle found in chamomile (C. nobile)
2 : the dried flower heads of either of two chamomiles (Chamaemelum nobile and Matricaria recutita) used as aromatic bitters